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17:36: it's not "accepting the Parole Board's decision" - it's accepting that there are no grounds for a judicial review, which is compatible with thinking the Board got it wrong. This man did not get a life sentence and can't be banged up for life. A previous A-G did not even refer the sentence as too lenient.

It's central to the parole system that it is independent of Ministers, Parliament, and the press, and that is why the Minister has no avenue of appeal which he would be urged (by Parliament and the press) to exercise in the case of unpopular offenders.